Travelog of Upper Peninsula Michigan, 2008

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Domination of Eiler Journal #20: Operation Edmund Fitzgerald


What Is the Domination of Eiler?


In one sense, "The Domination of Eiler" is a political entity modeled upon the Holy Roman Empire. Which is to say, it works through national and local political entities, but transcends nation-state boundaries. You may already be a citizen without knowing it!

In another sense, "The Domination of Eiler" is a pen name for an amateur but very prolific web journalist. Perhaps you may enjoy these travel writings, given this simple guide:

  • The Domination of Eiler is led by, of course, the Dominator.
  • The Domination has bases in Palatine-Illinois and Lansing-Michigan, and its forces often shuttle in between. This time the long way.
  • Operational Map

    It's vacation time again, including a trip to visit associate-Eilers in Kalamazoo-Michigan, and a trip to the EilerDepot in Palatine-Illinois. The question is once again, what else to do for a week? For various reasons, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been targeted.


    Pioneer Town by the Highway
    Green Bay pioneer town by the highway.
    Mall Downtown
    Green Bay downtown mall.

    Day 0: Monday 1 September 2008

    Return to Green Bay

    Woke up at 6 am after a sound night of sleep. Departure from temporary EilerBase unusually early - 8:30 am.

    The Domination frontline lies at Green Bay-Wisconsin. Plan today is to move one hour beyond, to Iron Mountain-Michigan. But instead decided to treat Green Bay to a third wave of Domination. Previous waves in 2000 and 2006 bypassed some resistance.


    Outpost of the Iroquois
    Outpost of the Iroquois in Wisconsin.

    Day 1: Tuesday 2 September 2008

    On the Frontline

    Awoke at 6 am again, but observed sleep discipline until 8:30 to ensure no need for nap. New habit of munching 200 fluid ounces * of ice cubes per day leads to extra bathroom stops in morning, but otherwise helps counteract 90-degree temperatures and contributes greatly to mission readiness. And complimentary hotel waffle breakfasts ensure the ability to skip lunch if necessary.

    On the way out of Green Bay, the Oneida Historical Museum submitted one room of exhibits, plus a replica longhouse which the Frontline of the Domination of Eiler now bisects.

    Advanced beyond the Frontline into Iron Mountain-Michigan. Michigan Welcome Center was subjugated, but local historical and mining museums resisted. These are theoretically open on Tuesdays even after Labor Day, but the operators may step out for lunch or whatever.

    Instead, moved quickly across the Michigan Upper Peninsula. State Road 95 was ideal for this purpose, and offers cabins, fishing, and "pastie" meat pies - none of which were sampled, because the museums and brewpubs of Lake Superior await.

    Fortunately, dodged an approaching storm front. Unfortunately, evil enemies of the Domination stole an hour in the middle of the woods, at a time zone boundary. This means no more time to conquer Michigan museums today.

    Therefore just conquered some stuff at Ishpeming-Michigan tourist store, including long-sought "Say Ya to da U.P., eh?" bumper sticker. Then found barracks near the Jasper Creek Brewery, first of four brewpubs to conquer. There really is a Yooper accent, once you get in this deep.

    Happy Hour, this fine journal, the hotel pool, and the last four comic books from this month's shipment should suffice for tonight. Half the Upper Peninsula, all the target museums, three more brewpubs, and the main part of vacation await tomorrow and beyond.


    Lighthouse of Marquette
    Welcome to Marquette! See our lighthouse!
    Upper Peninsula Minerals For Sale
    Buy our minerals!
    Sunset at Grand Marais
    Leave town and see the sunset!

    Day 2: Wednesday 3 September 2008

    Marquette Day

    Most tourists come into the Upper Peninsula from the east, via the Mackinac Bridge. This time the Domination of Eiler dares flank its opposition, swoop in from the west, and conquer the deep parts first - just like the cold front did yesterday. There is every reason to believe today will be the height of vacation.

    Staying in Marquette near the attractions is pricey: $120 USD or so, even off season. Tourist hotels cluster on the way out of town (or into town for westbound visitors). So at 4 pm stopped by the Goodbye Center (or Welcome Center westbound) to get info on eastbound lodgings. Either of two towns may serve:


    Bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald
    Actual infamous Great Lakes artifact. See also:
  • The Nearest Lightouse
  • The Nearest Pointy Bit of Shore
  • Lighthouse at Iroquois Point
    Where the Iroquois once invaded Michigan, here's another lighthouse.
    Photo of the Day
    The Soo Locks are overkill for some boats. See also:
    The Soo Bridge

    Day 3: Thursday 4 September 2008

    Lakefront Day

    Cocodrie-Louisiana is sending Michigan its weather. In advance of the rain front, the Domination of Eiler goes forth.

    Only two targets are planned for today, both at Whitefish Point... but many others have come in view. Rebellion is widespread among these, but that in turn leads to even more Domination.

    1. Muesems of Grand Marais: Rebellious. Old Post Office museum under construction, open 2009. Two other museums open weekends-only after Labor Day.
    2. Lake Superior State Forest: Honored ally. Submitted a scenic drive east from Grand Marais, plus a chance to sit on the beach and carve the new stick. Drive was on dirt roads, of about backwoods Massachusetts quality - but that's fine for the Automobile of Dominance.
    3. Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point: Ally. Submitted a historical village including lighthouse (tower off limits), beach, and many artifacts including the actual sunken bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald. But more was expected.
      • Lodging is available on site, in the Coast Guard's old lifeguard house. But bring a friend to share the room, because it costs $300 USD. They call it "$150 Double Occupancy" to make it sound better.
      • Food is available on site, but it's snack bar pasties and gift shop fudge. Don't even think about beer, or any kind of food after visitor's hours - unless you bring your own, in which case, why pay $300 a room?
      • Sound system in museum building frequently plays that famous Gordon Lightfoot song about the Edmund Fitzgerald. Remarked to admissions clerk that song was getting tiresome. She said, "Tell me about it."
    4. Town of Paradise: Rebellious. It is nearest Whitefish Point, and might well be expected to take up its tourist load. It does have a selection of hotels, but just one cheap bar where the best draft beer is Budweiser. Occupation was therefore deemed irrelevant.
    5. Tahquamenon (or whatever) Falls Restaurant and Brewery: Rebellious. Prime target for today, but evaded the Dominator's formidable beer-sense by operating out of a state park and not putting up directional signs! Gee, hope that business plan works out for them - if they're still in business.
    6. Point Iroquois Light Station: Honored ally. Submitted two rooms of exhibits plus a boardwalk, and you can actually climb their lighthouse tower. (History lesson: The Iroquois never lived here, but they did unsuccessfully invade in the 1600s!) Light rain by now, but Domination gear good enough for an outdoor walk.
    7. Bay Mills Casino and Resort, Brimley: Rebellious. No draft beer in hotel bar. Therefore chose not to expose car overnight where frustrated gamblers might break in. Also kept the new Iroquois flag out of sight, in case the Ojibway Nation which operates the casino is vengeful for that past invasion.
    8. Ramada Plaza Hotel Ojibway, Sault Sainte-Marie: Ally. Submitted a room with nice amenities including HDTV, but at cost like unto downtown Marquette. But by then the Domination force had fought road construction and gone without lunch or nap, so met the Ramada's terms and tolerated much haggling for a quiet non-smoking room.
    9. Moriarty's Alley Irish Pub, Sault Ste. Marie: Rebellious ally. This same pub submitted ten years ago, and they gave a good steak dinner tonight, but they also let a whiny infant into the bar side. Aren't there laws against child endangerment or something? But other bars in town were even worse, either smoky or creepy or not serving good draft.
    10. Soo Locks Visitor Center, Sault Ste. Marie: Honored ally. Submitted a rest stop, plus a boat transit. Ten years ago the Dominator was accidentally on hand to watch the Great Lakes' largest freighter (the Paul R. Tregutha, according to the Visitor Center) barely fit through. But the Soo Locks tour boat fits just fine. The lock operator is happy to talk to tourists, even though it's raining. The guy inside the Visitor Center is actually paid to keep it open 9 am - 9 pm!
    11. Captain's Pub and Grill, Sault Ste. Marie: Honored ally. The hotel bar has Killians on tap, and access to the nice desserts from the hotel restaurant. Good enough.

    The expeditionary force has drawn its new Frontline along the Superior shore, and linked it back to the Domination of Eiler. But useful targets remain within. They will submit tomorrow.


    Gaylord Water Tower
    Gaylord-Michigan has so much Swiss pride, it shows on their water tower.
    Pet Rocks of the Gaylord Museum
    At least when this museum sells rocks, they tell a story.

    Day 3: Friday 5 September 2008

    South to the North Country

    In the ten years since the tip of the Upper Peninsula submitted to the Domination of Eiler, the cities of Sault Sainte-Marie and Saint Ignace may have added a new museum or two. But these are not places that the Domination needs to risk conquering more than once.

    Instead, caught up with phone messages and e-mail (no service since Green Bay), then pressed south. Stopped to ensure that nothing had been left unconquered in West Mackinaw City. Needn't have bothered.

    City of Gaylord was selected for lunch stop, being home to the next target brewpub. Selected for dinner too. Local historical museum in between, and bike rides and a nap. This is the way Whitefish Point should have worked out.


    State of Michigan Pine Nursery, All Grown Up
    Though the CCC and their museum are both closed, their trees remain. See also:
    The CCC Museum
    Big Petoskey Stone
    Central Michigan University has two of the world's largest Petoskey stones.

    Day 5: Saturday 6 September 2008

    Homeward Day

    Expeditionary force is now less than three hours from the District of Dominance, Lansing-Michigan. But targets yet remain, possibly worth spending another night.

    That's about it. All today's places are survivable and may be worth reoccupation in future. But the Dominator's own bed is about an hour away now, and it's sounding attractive.


    Ribbon of Domination

    The operation has shown these signs of success:

    The Domination will admit to these operational shortcomings, though:

    Still the Domination of Eiler forces return triumphant as ever, all praise to the One Maker.

    (signed) Dominator S. Eiler, Fist of the One Maker, for the Domination of Eiler.


    The Domination of Eiler believes in free sharing of information. But if you wish to reproduce significant parts of the commentary within, be aware that it is © copyright 2008 by Eiler Technical Enterprises. And have a niiiice daay.